State plays the bully in court hearing

Thomas and Sandra Tokarski's fight against I-69 has been long and contentious. For more than 20 years, they have opposed the interstate, which at this moment is being built through their property.

We've disagreed more than agreed with the couple over the years. But on the issue that made its way into court last week, we back them fully.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has asked that the Tokarskis be blocked from going onto the land where work is being done near their home to take pictures of the construction process. An attorney for the state argued that their very presence distracts workers, which causes safety concerns and delays the project.

The Tokarskis' argument is much stronger than that. They say they still own the property. Thomas Tokarski testified that he has no intention of getting close enough to the construction machines to put himself in danger.

"I'm just making public the terrible destruction this project is causing," he said. "I do not need to give my life for this. I do more good being alive, fighting this."

The dramatics aside, he should be able to document the work being done on this public project on what appears to be his own property.

We say "appears to be" because the state is laying claim to the five acres on which construction is occurring.

The state challenged an appraisal of $45,000, but deposited a check in that amount with the clerk's office and says that transfers ownership.

It doesn't matter that the Tokarskis have been a pain in the rear for INDOT and the I-69 project. They have not received a dime and still hold title to the land.

Until those things change, they should have the right to go onto their property to watch over a project they bitterly oppose.

- The Herald-Times,

Bloomington

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State plays the bully in court hearing

Thomas and Sandra Tokarski's fight against I-69 has been long and contentious. For more than 20 years, they have opposed the interstate, which at this moment is being built through their property.